Col. Paul Goddard speaks to guests at the change of command ceremony at 15 Wing Moose Jaw on Friday. Col. Goddard was replaced by Col. Alexander Day as the wing commander and military director of the NATO Flying Training in Canada program.

When Col. Paul Goddard was growing up, he envisioned the Royal Canadian Air Force to be full of excitement and adventure.

For the last two years, Col. Goddard had an opportunity to train the next generation of pilots, instilling excitement and adventure in their minds.

“The biggest thing I’m going to miss is the students,” Col. Goddard said at 15 Wing Moose Jaw on Friday. “When these young folks come to train, they have dreams on their sleeves and every day is about excitement and adventure.”

Col. Goddard relinquished his roles as commander of 15 Wing and military director of the NATO Flying Training in Canada program to Col. Alexander Day during a command change ceremony at the military base on Friday.

He’s grateful for the time he spent at 15 Wing, describing it as a “high energy place,” but he’s looking forward to returning to Winnipeg, where his wife has been “holding down the fort” since he left for Moose Jaw.

Despite living away from his wife for the last two years, Col. Goddard is proud of the program he has helped build up at 15 Wing.

“I think this is the one moment in time that I've seen stability in the program and I've seen success in the program,” he said. “The success in the program is not attributable to any one individual. It’s attributable to a team of numerous people. It extends far beyond 15 Wing.”

Now, as Col. Goddard said jokingly, “they’re kicking me out the door.”

Nathan Liewicki can be reached at 306-691-1256 or follow him on Twitter @liewicks.

Col. Paul Goddard speaks to guests at the change of command ceremony at 15 Wing Moose Jaw on Friday. Col. Goddard was replaced by Col. Alexander Day as the wing commander and military director of the NATO Flying Training in Canada program.